Paris, France, like many global cities, has an air pollution problem. In the U.S., a bad air day in Denver or Los Angeles doesn’t cost the city money, except perhaps in tourist dollars spent. In Europe, cities can be fined by the European Commission for failing to meet clean air standards.
In response, Paris’ mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, has presented a plan to the French government that would ban cars over 17-years old, motorcycles over 10-years old and commercial vehicles over 18-years old from entering the city and surrounding areas. To encourage citizens to get rid of old cars, Left Lane News says the mayor is proposing a “cash for clunkers” program with a twist. In addition to paying cash for worn-out cars, the program would also give participants a three-month pass to AutoLib, a Paris-based electric car sharing program.
As critics point out, there’s one small problem with Delanoë’s plan: only three percent of cars registered in France are over 17-years old, meaning the costly program will have little to no effect on air pollution.
The final decision now lies with the French government, who is just as cash-strapped as the rest of the European Union these days. If the program is approved, th ban would take effect in mid-2014.
Image credit: Wikipedia user Pline, licensed under CC 2.0
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
